Real Madrid are expected to make moves in the transfer market before the window closes on August 31, yet Fede Valverde will stay with the team for the 2018/19 season.

The Uruguayan midfielder enjoyed a fine pre-season in which he made good contributions in matches against Manchester United and Juventus.

Julen Lopetegui has a fine reputation for working with young players after his sensational spells with the Spanish youth teams, and he has taken a keen eye on the academy products at Real Madrid.

The Spaniard admires Valverde's versatility in midfield, and he's able to excel in the number five position, an area of concern for Los Blancos when Casemiro is fatigued or injured.

Mateo Kovacic was desperate for first-team football this term and left on a season-long loan for Chelsea, and the club are now facing a battle to replace him this close to the transfer deadline.

Real have always had confidence in Valverde behind the scenes too, since he arrived in 2016 it's been widely expected that he would break into the senior team once the Toni Kroos and Luka Modric era comes to an end.

This is a confidence that is shared by the player's agent, Gerardo El Pelado Rabajda, who believed it was inevitable that a first-team debut would be forthcoming.

"I always thought he would be a first-team player," he admitted to MARCA.